Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve9930
Personally I believe the conversation is focused too much on the tool and not enough on the problem. Here is the question that needs to be answered: "Why now? Guns have been a part of our society since this countries inception, why is it now acceptable in the minds of some, to pick up a weapon, and kill innocent people, lots of people, at one time? Why now? Where is this motivation born?
Laws will never stop these incidents and its not the AR-15 platform that is the problem. Read my post about Columbine. The two had made bombs from 20 LB LP Bottles that luckily did not explode. Had they worked, the estimated casualties would have been over 400. It would have collapsed the roof of the building.
As for teachers being armed, I don't have a problem with it , if the school employee, who ever that might be, volunteers and is willing to put in the extra time. I'm not going to make that decision for them, it's their decision to make. I personally would volunteer and take the training.
As for the age of 21 for rifles. I started hunting with my friends at the age of 16. I think I even purchased my own shot gun at the time. However, from what I see today, I'm not sure today's average 18 year old is as mature as we were when my friends and I were that age. There is a difference between being well informed and mature. We were mature but had less information available to us then today's kids. Also I don't remember anyone I ever knew talking about walking into a school and playing real time target practice with the student body. There were acceptable boundaries that you did not cross. I don't see these kids having the same conceptual understanding of boundaries.
The AR-15 semi-auto rifle platform is a very efficient, well designed, weapon. Far more efficient then a bolt action, or lever action rifle. I'm not sure I want that rifle in the hands of an 18 year old unsupervised.
As for banning the AR-15, I will never support that approach. However I could see it changed to a different class which requires more scrutiny to own one. This has already been done with a number of other firearms.
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This, in my opinion is an extremely valid post.
Especially, and capturing what I see as the problem, your opening paragraph....
"Here is the question that needs to be answered: "Why now? Guns have been a part of our society since this countries inception, why is it now acceptable in the minds of some, to pick up a weapon, and kill innocent people, lots of people, at one time? Why now? Where is this motivation born?"